Episodes

  • Elder Care: The Importance of Planning Ahead at Any Age
    May 16 2025

    May is Older American’s Month and a good time to think about our needs as we age and those of the older adults in our communities. In this episode, Deb Burton, a social gerontologist and executive director of RI Elder Info joins Dr. Chan to highlight some important considerations that everyone should be thinking about. Her message is clear: regardless of age, planning in advance is key.

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    23 mins
  • Cause for Concern or Typical Behavior? A New Resource Helps Guide Children's Behavioral Health
    Apr 25 2025

    Children often face a wide range of struggles like social challenges, difficulties at school, substance use, and so much more. As any parent or caregiver knows, helping a child can be overwhelming at times. Where can one turn for help? In this episode, Ashley Gingerella O’Shea, director of strategic communications at Rhode Island’s Executive Office of Health and Human Services joins Dr. Philip Chan to discuss a new and much-needed resource to help parents navigate children’s behavioral health.

    For parents and caregivers, please visit kids.ri.gov/behavioral-health for information to guide you in finding support, resources, and answers to many of your questions.

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    19 mins
  • Addressing Sexual Assault Where You May Least Expect It
    Apr 11 2025

    Sexual violence affects 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men nationally - and it can happen anywhere, usually by someone you know. In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, RIDOH’s Dr. Staci Fischer, medical director and chief administrative officer for the Rhode Island Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline and Angela Kemp, prevention coordinator for RIDOH's Violence and Injury Prevention Program join Dr. Philip Chan to talk about the types of sexual assault, what you need to know in general, and even how to handle it somewhere you may not expect - in the care of a healthcare professional.

    This episode of Public Health Out Loud covers topics related to sexual violence that some listeners may find difficult to listen to. Listeners are encouraged to reach out to the RI Victims of Crime Helpline for support and advocacy as needed at: 1-800-494-8100 or helplineri.com.

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    25 mins
  • The Science Behind Safe Infant Sleep
    Mar 28 2025

    March is National Sleep Awareness Month. Sleep is a precious commodity when there is a newborn in the home - but did you know that HOW an infant sleeps is very important to their safety? In this episode, RIDOH’s Chief of the Safe Sleep Program, Margo Katz joins Dr. Philip Chan to talk about what parents and caregivers need to know to keep babies healthy during their slumber.

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    22 mins
  • Carbon Monoxide: The Silent Killer
    Mar 21 2025

    Alexandra Dowding and her family nearly died from a silent killer - carbon monoxide. The odorless, invisible gas made them very sick and forced them out of their West Warwick home. In this episode, Dowding joins Dr. Philip Chan, along with Jason Rhodes, RIDOH's Chief of the Center for Emergency Medical Services to talk about what you need to know and how you can protect yourself and your loved ones from carbon monoxide poisoning.

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    18 mins
  • How to Keep Measles From Making a Comeback
    Feb 28 2025

    In this episode of Public Health Out Loud, Dr. Philip Chan talks about measles with Dr. Suzanne Bornschein, RIDOH's infectious disease state epidemiologist. From recent outbreaks to risk factors and symptoms, download and listen to find out the best and safest way to protect yourself.

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    21 mins
  • Increase Return On Investment and Support Employees With Recovery-Friendly Workplaces
    Feb 14 2025

    Imagine if there was a way to help create supportive, stigma-free environments for people living with substance use and mental health conditions, especially in the workplace. The Rhode Island Recovery-Friendly Workplace Initiative aims to do just that. Jeffrey Wolfsberg, program director for the Recovery-Friendly Workplace Program at the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities, & Hospitals (BHDDH) joins Dr. Philip Chan in this episode to talk about how the initiative not only supports the workforce but can also boost a business's bottom line.

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    26 mins
  • Preventing HIV Like a Champ!
    Jan 31 2025

    In this episode, Jonathan Lucero McKinney, a physician assistant at Care New England Medical Group’s Internal Medicine Center in Pawtucket, Rhode Island and co-host of the Outloud YouTube channel, joins Dr. Philip Chan to discuss the Rhode Island Department of Health's PrEP Champions Network. The network helps connect people with PrEP - a medication that can help prevent the spread of HIV. Download and listen to find out how anyone in the state can find a participating PrEP Champions Network clinic near them to access this medication, as well as trusted, stigma-free, sexual healthcare.

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    23 mins